Continuing Professional Studies

School District Leadership Series

The School District Leaders classes prepare candidates to be transformational district leaders. Class content is complimentary and can be taken independently, in any order. The coursework prepares candidates for the School District Leader exam and a range of positions across both district and central offices.

School District Leaders Series

Below is a list of classes to support educators with the School District Leadership exam and to be transformational district leaders. Classes are designed to be taken in any order.
View the current course schedule to see which classes are being offered this semester.

  • Leading a School District: Building Vision and Stakeholder Engagement

    Course Number: LEAD 861N
    Semester offered: Spring
    Enrollment options: 1 graduate credit or non-credit/12 CTLE

    This course focuses on the key constituencies in a district and the different relationships that exist among them. It includes understanding the district’s vision, how it was developed, and how it is sustained. The course also examines a district’s demographic and achievement data.

    More information and Register

  • Special Education Leadership: The District Perspective 1

    Course Number: LEAD870N
    Semester Offered:
    Spring
    Enrollment options: 1 graduate credit or non-credit/12 CTLE

    Strong leadership at the district level is essential if schools are to become positive and successful learning environments for diverse learners, including children with disabilities and those at risk of failure. This course covers issues that enhance or create obstacles for inclusive schools and communities. Issues of equity are evident in most school districts and challenge educators to transform educational environments and processes to meet diverse needs. The course will address the issue of “achievement gaps” as well as links between social class and achievement in schools.

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  • Leading a School District: The Impact of the School District Leader

    Course Number: LEAD862N
    Semester Offered:
    Summer
    Enrollment options: 1 graduate credit or non-credit/12 CTLE

    This course looks at the varied roles and responsibilities of the superintendent/district leader and ties them to the challenges of creating and sustaining dynamic, humane, effective learning communities. It emphasizes the ways that district leaders’ decisions—in such spheres as instructional policy, planning, fiscal and human resources, facilities, legal and equity issues, accountability, and external relationships—affect schools’ capacity to engage students and strengthen achievement.

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  • Leading a School District: Allocating Resources to Achieve Goals

    Course Number: LEAD863N
    Semester Offered:
    Summer
    Enrollment options: 1 graduate credit or non-credit/12 CTLE

    This course focuses on how human and financial resources are allocated in a district to support the instructional program and the goals of the superintendent and school board.

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  • Leading a School District: The Budget Process

    Course Number: LEAD864N
    Semester Offered:
    Summer
    Enrollment options: 1 graduate credit or non-credit/12 CTLE

    This course focuses on examining a district’s budget from multiple points of view: theoretical, conceptual, and practical. Participants will become familiar with all phases of the budget process, from its inception to its implementation throughout a district. Content will be closely aligned, whenever possible, with the “real world” budgets currently in place in districts.

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View Current Class Schedule

or contact cps@bankstreet.edu | 212-875-4649 for more information.

Alice Gottlieb

Alice Gottlieb

Alice Gottlieb taught middle school English in independent and public schools for nearly 25 years, before becoming an elementary and middle school principal, and finally an Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction in a Westchester district.

Qualifications: BA, Cornell University; MA, New York University; EdD, Fordham University

Brian Monahan

Brian Monahan

Brian Monahan has over 40 years of experience as an educator at the K-12 and university levels. He began as a teacher of English in the Yonkers Public Schools where he met his future wife while on cafeteria duty. Later in his career he served as a teacher of computer science, a building administrator and, finally, superintendent of schools in five districts. The thing he misses most about being a superintendent is the warm feelings he got from staff and students when he announced snow days. Brian joined the Bank Street faculty in 2015 and teachers courses in the School District Leadership program.

In addition to his professional service, Brian has been active in his community, serving as a trustee on the Dobbs Ferry Village Board and as a member of the Board of Education. He was also elected to three terms as Mayor of Dobbs Ferry.

Qualifications:PhD, Fordham University